podcasts

Yes, there are tons of articles on this. But there are some basic steps that a lot of newer hosts miss, which cuts into their subscriptions AND replays. The key is to test it as an outsider or get someone to do it for you. FILL IN ALL THE BLANKS . This includes your podcast …

Every podcast needs a name, a place to reside, branding, a theme song, intro and commercials. It also needs promotions for each episode past, current and future. I do that. As the co-producer of the Funnel Radio Network on Funnel Media Group’s channels, I’m able to be involved in the 15 shows we produce each …

You don’t have to do it all, but if you do, “SMILE when you say that…” Your warmth carries through, as do your distractions. If you are hosting a podcast – video or audio, remember to turn off ringers, distractions and have your notes handy. The mute button can be your friend or foe if …

Sometimes it’s as easy as asking them to subscribe and review to your podcast channel – video and audio. But sometimes it’s more difficult to help them find you. iTunes is used by a huge amount of people, but finding a podcast and subscribing can be difficult. You have the desktop version and the phone …

This is a recap of an HOA I participated in with +Mark Vang, +Sean Grace with commentary by +Jose Jimenez. We had a detailed discussion as to how to optimize and better utilize your YouTube Channel. Some of the thoughts here I added because they were NOT covered. Jose’s commentary is at the end.

Remember that YouTube matters because it is indexed heavily and people enjoy, seek out and rely on videos for how to, getting to know a company/brand and to be entertained. With those underlying goals in mind, you need to leverage as many channels as you can to appear in the results and continue to build your brand and message.

Ways to Use YouTube:

“How To” ideos to position your or your company as the expert.

Introductions to key officers, your company

Testimonials from clients or strategic partners

Public Service Announcements

Event recaps or broadcasts

Interviews with customers, strategic partners, key team members.

Book intros

Many times people toss up a video with a few lines of description. This is a missed opportunity if they end it there. When you create a YouTube video through YouTube, you are able to add a detailed description or recap about the video, mention your brand, your key services, add links to get more information. You can also fill it with key words. The initial tags/keywords suggested by YouTube are based on your description. You may also add more.

But is your channel ready? Have you seen it lately? Here is mine. Do you have a channel for your company or brand? If you are active on YouTube personally with silly videos of pies flying, people crashing and kitties, you may want to add a new channel specifically for business that is branded with your logo/message.

We also suggest you invest in a professionally recorded or a high quality video recorded by you introducing your channel and a description for that video telling people what they will learn and find on your channel.

How about that banner graphic? It should match your other banners across the other venues such as Google My Business, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook COMPANY PAGE, LinkedIn Company page. Drive home your brand.

Time for playlists. As we have covered in various social media venues, the 70/30 rule, or 80/20 rule applies here too. The bulk of what you share on YouTube or playlists you create should link to others, some may be purely for entertainment, some may promote your members, strategic partners, even your competitors to show groundbreaking information that can benefit all. BECOME THE SOURCE of information on your topic of expertise.

You can breakdown your own playlists by various subtopics such as:
Sports – Baseball, Sports – Football, Knitting, Crocheting – you get the idea. This allows you to add a playlist description – also helpful for SEO and your subscribers. Think of playlists as Instagram story buttons – group topics. You can add the same video to multiple playlists, too. You can upload the same video to another playlist if you have a different title and description. Sometimes one video covers two major topics and you want to target each of those audiences separately.

Your playlists can be embedded on your website playing a continuous loop. You can promote your playlists to others inviting them to embed your content on their site – this is great for membership organizations, strategic partners.

What about podcasts? Time to get more use out of your content. If you download the video from Youtube and pull out the audio only using your favorite tool. I use a variety of tools for this. You can then upload to your podcast channel on iTunes. I can also help you create a podcast site whether on Libsyn, Soundcloud, Podbean and others. You can also do this in reverse. I have a monthly radio show. It broadcasts as audio only. Sometimes I’ll record the show in a video venue to give me video of my guest. If they are audio only, I’ll get their headshot, company logo, etc. The audio file is posted to the radio site and I produce the video inserting in screenshots, images and sometimes video clips to enhance the audio and then I post it to YouTube. This takes more production, but depending on your guest and topic, it can be worth every extra minute.

Another idea for optimizing your YouTube channel – PSAs (public service announcements). How about creating a playlist of PSAs for your favorite charities or causes? Not only does it give people a better picture of your company and your ethics, interests and view of the world, it benefits the charities. Send them a note when you do this. They may also publicize YOUR channel. Everyone wins.

Lately I seem to be able to focus on one social media venue sprucing up a week. Any more than that and I’m not earning money and my head will explode. This week is YouTube – it will carry into next week. Look for updates to my channel including new intro videos, more playlists and reposting of some hangouts that I’ve participated in.